Overview
- Dallas stormed to a 30-point first-half lead and was booed by the Madison Square Garden crowd during a lopsided opening stretch.
- Rookie Cooper Flagg returned from a two-game absence to post 18 points and seven rebounds in his first professional game at MSG.
- Max Christie scored a season-high 26 points and Naji Marshall added 18 as the injury-hit Mavericks notched a third straight victory.
- Jalen Brunson scored 22 points in his return and Hart rejoined the lineup, but the Knicks dropped their fourth straight and ninth in 11 to fall to 25-18.
- New York’s defensive slide was evident in a 75-point first half conceded, extending concerns that have followed a 2-8 stretch since their December NBA Cup win.